Search:

Alternative Cancer Treatment - Breast Cancer: What is it?

By: Meng Y According to most sources, breast cancer is 'cancer of the breast tissue'. Not very helpful. But digging a little deeper makes the answer clear. Cancer is a malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal or uncontrolled cell division. Normal cells become misshapen and grow too rapidly. The result is a mass or lump that continues to grow and may spread.

Not every breast lump is cancerous, in fact the majority of them are benign. They will reach a specific size and level off. They might be soft and filled with fluid- similar to cysts. These lumps could also be fibroadenomas that do not spread or grow. They could also be scar tissue or just hardened fat.

But a true cancer in breast tissues is malignant and serious. Nearly 90% are a type known as ductal carcinoma (sometimes called DCIS, ductal carcinoma in situ). Somewhat less than 10% of the rest are lobular carcinomas (LCIS). In both cases lumps may appear as a thickening in some part of the breast, or even in the armpit. Lymph nodes are located there and sometimes play a role in the development of the disease.

It is recommended that individuals begin performing self breast exams around age 20, and that individuals get regular mammograms beginning at the age of 40..

An individual should not be alarmed at every single breast change, however a significant alteration in the size or shape of the breast following maturity is one sign to look for. Fluid might also seep from the nipple that does not resemble milk. In the event that it is cancer it will usually be a type of pus, thus indicating an infection.

An individual's nipple or areola might also alter in shape and size.

Breast cancer develops in stages that mark the disease progression.

Stage 0 is the initial showing of the condition. Breast cancer is labeled Stage I when the tumor is fewer than 2cm thick and has not started to spread. At Stage II tumors are usually between 2-5cm thick and there could be other areas of the body that are also effected. If the disease reaches Stage III it has penetrated the chest wall. By this time the treatment is very difficult and the survival rate isn't as great.

Stage IV cancer is the most serious of all. At this point the individual's cancer has started to spread, forming tumors in other areas. These tumors are identical to the original cancerous growth. Cancers of this type are typically fatal.

Because of these stages, and the increasing health consequences at each level, seeking diagnosis and treatment early is imperative. A simple lumpectomy may well cure the condition completely. If it progresses to the point that chemotherapy or radiation treatments are called for, the odds of recover are much lower and the cure is often as bad as the disease.

Fortunately, enormous progress has been made over the past 40 years. The latest equipment allows for much better diagnosis. Treatments have evolved to make the cure less painful and more certain.

Any stage of breast cancer is one to be concerned with, there is a 95% survival rate for individual's whose cancer is identified and treated by Stage I. You can improve your odds by monitoring yourself carefully and getting diagnosed early.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

The scientifically proven food that consistently shows ability to destroy cancer cells is fucoidan. The essence of brown seaweed Visit my site at Alternative Cancer Treatment to learn more about how it has help me and the 600+ researches backing it.

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated